Judith

22nd January 2012

I am well on the way through my final year at university. I have completed my first placement which was within the specialist area of child and adolescent psycharitry. I also had the opportunity to work with the Youth Offending Services which has opened up a whole new thought process of what I would like to do when I am finally qualified.  I am now back in university for another 4 week stint before going out on placement again. The next placement will lead into my 'sign off' placement which is all a bit scary. We had a careers day last Thursday and was advised that we should be able to start applying for jobs round about June. I have finished one of my assignments which just needs my named marker to give it the 'okay'. I have started my second assignment so need to concentrate on getting this finished in the next couple of months when I can then concentrate on my presentation. The hard work for the National Nursing Conference in March is about to start and so there is a lot of pressure at the moment and time management is vital.

Church is incredibly busy as usual. Another Alpha course has just started and I have volunteered to clear up after the meal. This means that the team can relax during the course without thinking about the dishes!! We have a wedding coming up later in the year and I have been asked to officiate as the Registrar. Although I am registered I have not officially carried out the role to date so am a bit nervous (has anyone seen my handwriting!!). I am about to embark on a crash training course.

Home is interesting at the moment. At the end of November we had a pipe burst in our bathroom. Fortunately we were at home and dealt with it very quickly but the damaged caused in 5 minutes is incredible. It has resulted in going through the process with our insurance company and getting the work that needs doing (new kitchen ceiling, lighting, new flooring throughout whole of downstairs, removal and replacement of kitchen units, new bathroom floor etc etc) approved. I cannot believe the damage water can do in such a short period of time. We were just about to go out. Praise God Gary decided to do the dishes!!! We are functioning as normal at the moment but I can see it becoming a big headache once the work begins. However, I shall be very surprised if it is done anytime soon as the process seems very slow and tedious with a constant stream of surveyors coming to assess the work and approve it but nobody actually coming to do anything. No wonder insurance premiums are so high!!

My Praise and Prayer Points

• Praise God for my continued excellent health
• Praise God for his continued protection over me at University
• Pray for continued clarity of mind and good time management
• Pray that I maintain a healthly balance between university, church and home
• Pray that our home is soon restored to normality

Gary

22nd January 2012

And so we start another year...

From the outset it looks to be a full on year with more than a few missions planned:

• Tanzania in August
• Far East Russia in October / November
• Three mission weeks at Kingswinford Christian Centre (March, June and July)

All this alongside Alpha Courses, School Christian Union, Mission Training Weekends, Discipleship groups, Interchurch activities, preaching and teaching, my role and function as a Church pastor and evangelist....

In comparison to 2011, my health was much improved for which I thank God.

Last year finished on a 'high' with a fruitful Christmas season - I was thrilled to see Kingswinford Christian Centre filled with so many people I didn't know for our Christmas Carol Service. Such a blessing! Also, I had spent a lot of time planning and preparing, praying and being prompted regarding the Dudley Churches Christmas Carol Concert which took place earlier in December. We saw over 800 people attend - and what a fantastic evening it was.

Back to 2012, I have in front of me some challenging weeks, with trying to fit in all the planning and preparation for the missions, on top of the day to day aspects of my role as a Pastor at Kingswinford Christian Centre. I am mindful however, the pressing priority of spending time with the LORD, in prayer - seeking His face, seeking where He is blessing, listening to the beautiful voice of the Holy Spirit and simply following Him, walking in His footsteps, doing whatever He wants me to do, saying what is on His heart, and going as He determines.

Last year I was advised that it was time to replace my car - I had already spent out a large amount of money keeping it running, and my Garage told me that there would be some excessively large repairs needed soon. I was not expecting it to pass it's MOT inspection last week, but praise God it sailed through, albeit with a whole list of advisory comments and words from the Service manager... Rev Taverner we really do advise you, get a replacement now! At the moment that is financially impossible... would you pray with me, that God would open up a way for finances to be released, so a replacement vehicle can be obtained? This is a pressing matter.

Thank you for standing with me: with God the incredible is possible!

My Praise and Prayer Points

• Praise God for thousands of people I have had the awesome privilege of ministering to, proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, the miracles, healings and deliverances.
• Praise God for His healing, protection and provision - not just in ministry, but for my life, family and friends. What an awesome God.
• For strength, wisdom and discernment - to know how to do all that I am to do, to be able to lay down that which I need not do, and concentrate on what God wants.
• For a year of many people hearing the good news concerning Jesus Christ - seeing a harvest of 'souls', thousands confessing Jesus Christ as their LORD and Saviour.
• For the finance to allow me to participate in this ministry - praise God for those people God has already raised up to supply my needs - pray for others to hear His voice, and to respond so that I am able to exercise the ministry God has given to me, as an Evangelist.
• For a replacement car
• That I might be a blessing to the incredible people He has placed around me